Interviews

Join us here on Puroresu Spirit as well interview wrestling talent that have wrestled in Japan and in turn have granted us the opportunity to share their thoughts and answer questions about their time competing in Japan.

Jonathan Gresham may not be the most widely known name in pro wrestling, but he is definitely one that should be
one to keep an eye out for in the future. Gresham has competed all over the world from Japan, Hong Kong, Chikara (as Hieracon), CZW, Booker T’s PWA in Texas, Fight Club: PRO in the UK, as well as numerous other promotions.
Gresham, who is 24 years old, recently reached an all time career achievement as he won ZERO1’s Tenakichi Junior Tournament. Not only making him the second youngest wrestler to win the tournament (first being Yoshihito Sasaki at 23), but the first non-Japanese native to do so. Gresham has been noted by quite a few people to be a very sound wrestler who can work the mat when he needs and take the soar through the air at any given opportunity.
I hope with this interview that fans all around the world can gain a bit more knowledge of this talented wrestler and hopefully leads you to follow and support him in his journey.

(1) Where and when did you get your start in pro wrestling?

I started training in Atlanta Ga around the age of 16. I started at a school called WWA4 in Atlanta Ga.

(2) Who did you look up to as in ring idols? Favorite guys to see in the ring?

Before I really got into wrestling, Bam Bam Bigelow is who got me hooked onto the sport. At that age I just tuned in to watch him to be honest. After, I started to watch a bit more, and started to look up to guys like Dean Malenko, Sean Waltman and Rey Mysterio.

(3) Do you have any favorite moments competing around the world? What would be the ideal match for someone to watch to see what you are all about in the ring?

Ah, yes, I have a few. Most won’t make it to the internet or DVD I don’t think, so viewing it might not be possible. But This year alone I have a few favorites. I was able to compete against “Mr. Smooth” Johnny Kidd in Swindon UK. This is one of my favorite matches because It was something I never thought would happen. Its a match I would of course wanted to have, but the possibility of it actually being booked never really hit me as reality. A last second tag match I was apart of for SWE UK which saw myself tag with a MK Mckinnan VS the Leaders, Marty Scurll and Zack Sabre Jr. Is a match I think many would enjoy, while also introducing you to Mckinnan, a need to know UK talent.

(4) I read that your first match was against WWE’s Heath Slater? As well as you used to compete for Booker T promotion in Texas? Do you have a dream of one day reaching the big stage of the WWE?

Yes, my first ever match was against Heath Slater. It took place in a small town in west Georgia. I started with Booker T’s PWA promotion in 2008, I spent a good bit of time working with him and the promotion. WWE, to be honest. After getting into the business I decided I wanted to wrestle in Japan for a career. But, if the opportunity presents it’s self to work with WWE I’m sure I’d do it.

(5) How did you get connected with Ikuto Hidaka and ZERO1?

It was just one of those things that happen after time I guess. Their is no cool or funny story to go along with how I connected with Zero 1, I wish it was. But I have always showed interest in wrestling in Japan, so I am guessing my long time interest helped me make that connection.

(6) Winning the ZERO1 Tenkaichi tournament is a pretty big achievement, let alone being the first foreign talent to win the tournament. What are your thoughts with participating in the tournament and what plans do you have with ZERO1 moving forward?

Taking a spot in this years Tenkaichi meant a lot to me. I have watched this tournament unfold many times in the past thanks to online media sites. It was a dream come true for me. Competing in Japan was/is my goal. To win such a prestigious tournament is still mind blowing for me. To get the opportunity wrestle against the likes of Tatsuhito Takaiwa and Ikuto Hidaka was such an honor and I learned a lot from these bouts. My future plans moving forward with Zero 1 is to cement my spot in history. Winning the Zero 1 Jr Heavyweight championship is a goal now. And continuing to represent Zero 1 as a fighting athlete all around Japan.

(6) One of the major ordeal’s heading out of the Tenkaichi tournament is that you did not make a wish right then and there with the “dragon” present. Is it just a matter of reaching your true goal of competing in Japan that you did not ask?

Yes, when looking at Japan from the outside, one of the things I wanted to do is fight Ikuto Hidaka. Now that, that has come to pass along with winning the Tenkaichi, I was overwhelmed. I still stand by my choice to not make a wish. Because at that time that is the way I truly felt. But looking forward I have expressed my interest in one day competing along side Hidaka and challenging for the Jr tag championships.

(7) Then something to add on about your future in ZERO1, Takuya Sugawara is the reigning champion at this time, and after winning the tournament you have surely earned yourself an upcoming title shot. Can you give us any idea when the title match may be coming and your thoughts if you were to face Sugawara?

Sugawara I believe, despite some of his actions is a great champion. I respect what he has done. And I know fighting Sugawara would be a tough match and with the added pressure of the Jr Championship being on the line, this could possibly be the hardest match of my career. But I look forward to challenging for Zero 1’s Jr Heavyweight championship in the future, adding my name to the list of past champions would be a honor, adding my name to that list would be a goal accomplished!

(8) I also remember reading that another one of your dreams was to compete in New Japan’s Best of the Super Jr.’s tournament? The BOSJ tends to be a big breakout for all the talent involved, but do you have any opponents in mind if you were given the opportunity? Maybe from NJPW like Liger, Devitt and or Taguchi, or any wrestlers for that matter?

Speaking of Jr’s from New Japan. All the named above would be tremendous to test my skills against. And to learn from as well, I would not mind facing the likes of KUSHIDA, Tiger Mask and or Koji Kanemoto. All I think would be good matches and the fans of Japan would see how much fight I have. And how far I have come as a fighting Athlete.

(9) What’s the best way for people to keep up with what your doing in your travels all over the world?

I try my best to keep up a Blog as I travel. You can find it at http://Greshamwrestling.dinstudio.com/. This is probably the best way, as I don’t think to tweet or facebook when something happens.

I want to think Gresham for taking time out of his schedule to being apart of this interview for Puroresu Spirit, and I want to wish him all the best while competing in Japan and all over the world. がんばって！

I know these two guys are buy at this time. From what I am aware they are both currently traveling in the states and are aiming for a huge Proving Ground match for Ring of Honor on March 30. I personally want to thank them both for taking the time to answer the few questions I sent their way. So let’s get into it.

1. You both got invited to be in NOAH following the October 2010 WLW/NOAH training camp, Pro Wrestling NOAH. How much are you both familiar with the Japanese style of pro wrestling (Any favorite wrestlers/matches)?

Shane: Ive been following NOAH for awhile now. Once I first saw my first KENTA match I was pretty hooked. I had watch other matches here and there but because the commentary was all in Japanese I never really picked up names. So yeah, it was a dream of mine to wrestle for NOAH and wrestle Kenta, which I can now very gladly say Ive done now.

Mikey: Im quite familiar with it, when I started out it was somewhat the glory days of tape trading and so a lot of Japanese tapes were traded around and so I got the chance to see quite a lot of it. I also got to experience first hand when I was training at the NJPW dojo in Los Angeles back in 2005. My lists of favourite matches and wrestlers in constantly changing, but I guess the first Japanese wrestler I remember calling my favourite was Keiji Mutoh/Great Muta.

2. I know you guys come from EPW (Explosive Pro Wrestling) out of Australia, but how different are things between your home promotion and NOAH?

Shane: I guess to me its just the level each are at. NOAH is a big company with plenty of people doing different jobs where as EPW is smaller and more like a family business with fewer people having to do alot of things. EPW is home and everyone there feels like family and you’re generally close with everyone. NOAH is much larger. A lot more full on with more shows, traveling and tv but getting to do all that with the wrestlers and crew they have there, helps you bond with them pretty well too. I don’t know if that makes any sense but I really love working for both companies and people and friends you make are great.

Mikey: I agree with Shane about it being more about the Levels they are at. I have been with EPW since day 1 and so it has become more like a small family business whereas NOAH is a bigger company and so therefore has more people involved and is just a much bigger product.

3. How was it like training in Dojo? I seen a few pics of you guys working out with Noamichi Marufuj.

Shane: Training was great there. Very demanding, especially by the end of the week or tour. But it’s also very rewarding. Group trainings were a lot of fun too. There was a consistent bunch of us doing those and then you’d get guys like Marufuji, Kotaro or even Kobashi dropping in to do their own thing too. Always had a fun atmosphere and the guys were always willing to help work on things with you and teach you the style.

Mikey: Training in the dojo is amazing. We live and train at the dojo and so it is like being surrounded by wrestling 24/7. Just being around wrestling and around the types of talent that is around training you cant help but get brought up to another level.

4. You both made your debut’s in NOAH on Feb. 23, 2011 and have been in the normal ringer of things for most of the year. In the last few months you both started standing out as a tag team and even got a GHC Jr. Heavyweight match on Dec. 15th. Thoughts on the year and heading into and following the match?

Shane: I think we were just happy to be there no matter what we were doing. Very happy to be filling in were we could and doing the best we could with each match. Near the end of the last tour the office came to us and told us about the title match which was definitely a surprise to us. We knew it meant a lot that they gave us a title shot so soon, considering the short amount of time we had been there. Also, we knew we had to actually watch our weight for once so leading up to the match we were doing a lot more endurance and cardio training. The match went really, although no one expected us to win.

Mikey: We both looked at it as such a huge opportunity, just to be wrestling and working regularly with NOAH and so every single chance we had to go out and wrestle was a blessing and I think we tried as hard as we could to make the most of every single one of those chances. Like Shane said it was a bit of a surprise when the office told us about the match but at the same time gave us a chance to really show what we could do and reward their faith in us.

5. I know there was a bit of controversy for you Haste, as they had to test that you actually was a Junior Heavyweight wrestler. You barely made the weight, but honestly you both clearly look like Heavyweights so are you guys looking to compete as Juniors or move on Heavyweights now?

Shane: What we aim to do is stay around the 100kgs weight and bounce between heavy and junior. This way there will hopefully be more opportunities for us and also we want to accomplish as much as we possibly can. I’m sure as we get older though it will become harder to keep the weight down and I’ll have to start adjusting my style more to suit heavyweight.

Mikey: It was the first time I had to actually try to drop weight for a match, but we both got down to less than 100kgs and is good to know that it is possible if we ever have to do it again in the future. I think the way that we are going now we are kind of heading in more a heavyweight direction. If nothing else it will give us a chance to work with a whole new group of guys.

6. Has there been a certain wrestler(s) who you both have enjoyed working with in Japan?

Shane: Everyone there was great to work with. Even guys where you were thinking maybe not, they would surprise you and things would just work awesomely. Trying not to play favourites but I loved wrestling guys like Aoki, Kanemaru, Ricky, Miyahara Kento, Sugiura……Haha. I could go on but they’re the guys I remember having alot of fun with.

Mikey: Man that’s a hard question. I think I had my absolute best matches with Aoki and Ishimori it just seemed we really clicked and I think had some really competitive and also fun matches.

7. What would you guys say was the best moment that has happened to you guys while touring with NOAH (Inside or outside the ring)?

Shane: There’s been a lot of great moments, the whole experience is the best that I’ve had in my life. From all the fun of traveling on the road, to even just staying at the dojo and training everyday. The best moment for me definitely was the Jnr. tag title match. Not just the match but the whole lead up to it. It changed the way the guys looked at us and gave us great exposure. It was also great to really let loose out there.

Mikey: Just being apart of the whole thing, the touring, the training, the shows, everything has been so amazing. If I had to pin point one moment it would have to be just before the title match started, during the announcements, I looked around, realized where I was and what I was doing and it just blew my mind.

8. Any idea for when we could see you guys back in the NOAH ring?

Shane: Hopefully soon. And hopefully not just this year but for many more years to come

This has been months in the making, but finally we were able to set something solid up with MVP. We not only finally set something up but this chance also gave us the opportunity to set this up as a video interview as well.

Joshua Shibata, no1jobber, sat down with MVP during the first night of the NJPW USA INVASION TOUR and got to speak with him on his journey to how he got to where he is today and what we could possibly see in the future with Montel Vontavious Porter aka MVP.

Charles here with my second interview for Puroresu Spirit and today I am glad to introduce you guys to Gaylon Summers who is a professional wrestler originally out of the USA, Tennessee area. He is also a part of the United States Marine Corps and is currently stationed in Japan until 2012. So far he has competed in Union Pro Wrestling which is a branch of DDT pro wrestling. Summers is a fan of the Japanese style and you can find out more about him in this Q&A.

When did you know you wanted to become a pro wrestler?Gaylon Summers: I knew I wanted to be a wrestler from about 3 or 4 years old. I grew up in Dyersburg, Tn which is about 75 miles north of Memphis, Tn. I grew up watching USWA wrestling out of Memphis, Tn. I was also a big NWA/WCW fan.
Anyone particular reason for getting into pro wrestling?
The excitement, the athleticism, and the storytelling really drew me into pro wrestling. I wanted to be one of those larger than life characters.
Who were your Idols in the ring?
Jerry “The King” Lawler, Bill Dundee, Sting, Muta, and Big Van Vader
When did you get your official start in the business? What school/promotion you start out in?
I started wrestling on the independent scene in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. I started training in 2007 with a local tag-team in NC known as Anarchy Now. I trained with them for about a year and then I met Cathy Corino (Allison Danger) and her husband Marco(Ares) and I started training with them. Ares is an amazing training. I wish I could have trained with him longer, but I got orders to move to Japan.
Anyone in particular have a hand in your training?
Anarchy Now (Jagger and Scab), Allison Danger, and Ares
I know you are a Sergeant in the US Marines, let me be the first to say thank you for putting yourself out there and working to maintain some form of peace. But the question is how has this impacted yourself as a wrestler. Has it made things difficult or has it benefited you?
Being in the Marine Corps has made people respect me a little bit more, but a lot of promoters seem to not take me as serious because I cannot devote 100% of my time to wrestling. I am trying to train and wrestle as much as possible so that when I get out of the Marine Corps, I can wrestle full-time.
I know you are working in Union Pro in Japan. How did you get in contact with the promotion?
Funny you should ask that. One of my friends on Facebook, Taka Nakayama, was asking why I wasn’t wrestling in Japan. I told him that it was harder to get work in Japan than in the U.S. He happened to know the promoter of Union and he got me in contact with them. I sent them pictures and video and the rest is history.
You have any experience in any other promotions in Japan?
Union is the first promotion I have worked in while in Japan.
Who has been your favorite talent to work with in Japan?
Tagging with Hiroo Tsumaki was awesome. He is young and is hungry as I am. I hope to tag with him next month when he do our show in Korakuen Hall on May 4. Gaylon “Maverick” Summers & Hiroo Tsumaki vs. TKG 48
What can we expect to see from you in the next coming years?
You will see huge improvements. I have a ton of room for improvement. I am still green and learning, but as long as opportunities to learn are there, then I will take them. I feel like I have all the tools to succeed. The Marine Corps has given me the discipline. I am 6’7’’ tall, 250lbs, and I have heart and determination that is second to none.
You looking to stay in Japan and continue there or you have dreams of making it big in the USA?
Honestly, I would love to return to Japan and wrestle full-time once I get out of the Marine Corps. I have dreamed about making in to New Japan or All Japan. Only time will tell, but I think I have just as good a chance as anybody.
You mentioned it would be a dream to go to All Japan or New Japan? Anything you want to talk about in regards to that?
Absolutely! I know the best of the best have come from these two companies. I would love to work for either company. I know I have a long ways to go before making it that far, but I would love to train at their dojos to at least get my foot in the door.
What are the matches you have enjoyed the most from AJP & NJPW?
Growing up, I loved the matches Sting, the Steiner Brothers, Rick Rude, and the Road Warriors had here in Japan. I remember watching in amazement that everybody in Japan knew who these guys were.
Who are your favorites currently in Japan, past or present?
Favorite gaijin is Giant Bernard. I would love to have the opportunity to work with him. My favorite wrestler of all time in Japan is definitely Muta, hands down!

Your dream match, if you had to pic one wrestler to compete against, one on one, who would that be and why?
Any wrestler from any company would have to be Sting. The guy had a huge influence on me as a kid. I wanted to look and be just like him. He is one of the biggest names in the history of the industry. Even if he never steps foot into a WWE ring, he is definitely a shoe in for the Hall of Fame.

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I know you are stationed in Japan at this time, how are things going for yourself right now being in Japan during the Quake and the aftermath?
Honestly, I haven’t been affected too much by the earthquake. My home is about 600 miles away from the destruction. I know a lot of friends in Tokyo who had their apartments damaged by the storm. As soon as I heard about the quake in Northern Japan, I started calling the rest of DDT’s roster to make sure everyone was okay. Of course everyone was okay.
Do you think there is still a place for pro wrestling in Japan, even in the time of tragedy?
I think now is actually the best time for wrestling. I know DDT/Union, Osaka Pro, Dragon Gate, and Zero 1 have all raised a lot of money for the victims. Not only are they raising money, they are busting their asses every night in order to lift the morale of the people of Japan. So yeah, I think it is a perfect time for wrestling. I hope everyone continues to pray for the victims and those affected. The death toll continues to rise. My prayers go out to all of the people of Japan. I have never meet nicer people than the people I have met here.
I know Japan is a fighting nation and they will get through this, and I have read that a few wrestler’s aim to use pro wrestling to show the strength of the nation and to also give the fans hope. Have you been a part of any of the efforts of any of the promotions and or talked to any of the wrestlers/workers and their opinions on what is going on right now?
I haven’t been a part of any of the benefit shows yet. The Marine Corps has been cautious about letting any of us go up to Tokyo and further North unless we are on official orders.
If you have anything to add, please feel free to write what you wish.
I can’t thank the promoter and all of the people associated with DDT/Union enough for giving me a great opportunity to wrestle and continue to learn. Everybody who knows anything about wrestling, knows that Japan has the absolute best wrestling in the world. I have dreamed about wrestling in Japan my whole life. Japan is the home of real wrestling not “sports entertainment!”

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I would like to thank Summers for taking the time to be a part of this Q&A. I personally wish him all the luck with his dreams, and I hope everyone who reads this got to know him in some way and hopefully supports him in his dream to be a pro wrestler.

Charles Schaeffer here with my first ever interview for this site with Craig Classic. Craig is the current reigning NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion and recently defended that belt against Munenori Sawa at ZERO1’s 10th Anniversary show on March 6th, 2011. He also has the acknowledgment of being the first Gaikokujin to be a part Big Japan Pro Wrestling Dojo in 2004. I know Craig has somethings say on that time there and I will let him do so, but since then he has went on to continue to rise up the ranks of the pro wrestling world and it has brought him to where he is today.
I asked Craig before the big event in Japan if he would like to partake in an interview and he said “yes”. So without further ado here is what he had to say:

Charles Schaeffer: When did you know you wanted to be a pro wrestler?Craig Classic: Since the first time I watched wrestling when I was maybe 3 years old. My dad would put it on the tv and I would sit for hours watching Hogan, British Bulldogs, and so many others.

Idols in the ring?Craig Classic: Chris Benoit, Dynamite Kid, etc

When did you get your start as a pro wrestler?Craig Classic: I got my start when I was invited to train in BJW around 2004.

When did you get the first contact that you were to go to Japan?Craig Classic: I got really lucky at the time and I emailed BJW and they invited me to come train in there Dojo in 2004. At the time BJW didnt have any young wrestlers, Only 1 at the time. It was always my dream to train and wrestle in Japan, I love Japanese wrestling and even if it was with a Death Match company, I figured it would be a good start.

I know your trained in BJW, and you had an issues with the promotion? Anything you wish to mention?Craig Classic: It grow more into a love and hate realationship. I loved wrestling and being in Japan. But I grew to hate the president of BJW. He would want me there for 3 months at a time and I would be promised that I was booked on all shows. Then i would get there and that would change. I was basically living off what I made wrestling, While I was there and BJW isnt running 20 shows a month. There running 4 to 8 shows a month.

Then they wouldn’t allow me to work outside of BJW to the other indy’s in Japan. I was told cause I was a Young Boy. Also heard from friends in Japan, That they had told company’s that I was under contract. Which wasn’t the case. Then they would run D-Dash events which is for the young wrestlers. I wouldn’t be booked on them, And I would be told cause I am a gaijin.

So I basically got tired of the bullshit and lies and I walked out.

Even though your time there any wrestlers who you respected? I have heard you mention Daisuke Sekimoto?Craig Classic: I respect Sekimoto, Shadow WX, Shinya Ishikawa, Mens Teioh, Abdullah Kobayashi, and others. But I am sure there were some there that really didnt respect the gaijins. I learned alot from everyone I stepped in the ring with. Training with Sekimoto and the other young wrestlers was fantastic.

How is it being an NWA World Champion? Traveling the world and wrestling many different types of wrestlers and styles?Craig Classic: Its a dream come true for me. I love this business and respect my NWA World Jr. Belt. I love to challenge myself against anyone and any style.

How was it being at the ZERO1 10th Anniversary show and witnessing what I consider to be a big milestone for the promotion?Craig Classic: I was so honored to be invited. I have wanted to come to 01 for such a long time and I have so much respect for Mr. Nakamura and all the 01 Wrestlers. I will forever be loyal to Mr. Nakamura for opening the door and giving me a chanse to showcase myself and my NWA World Jr. heavyweight title and to do it on not just any show, But the 10th Anniversary of 01. I am forever humbled.

How was it competing against Sawa one on one? Who has traveled around the world himself.Craig Classic: I know going into the match, It was going to be easy. And Sawa is without question one of the best jr’s around today. His matches with TJP & Bryan Danielson in U.S. and countless matches with all the greats in Japan prove that. I trained really hard for this match and my training paid off in the end.

Do you know anything on the partnership with ZERO1 and NWA? Can we expect to see more things happening soon?Craig Classic: ZERO1 is now a member of the NWA and represents the National Wrestling Alliance in Japan. I hope this will lead to more NWA vs ZERO1 in the future. ZERO1 is doing great things right now and NWA is hotter then ever now. So only time will tell.

Who are you looking to face next in Japan? Now that you defended against Sawa. I heard you mention Ikuto Hidaka? When can we expect to see this happen.Craig Classic: Like I told the media in Japan, It doesnt Matter. I will wrestle anyone ZERO1 has to offer. 01 has a deep roster of Jr’s that they use from Minoru Fujita, Sawa, Hayato Jr, and of course Hidaka and I would love to test myself against anyone I stand across from the ring.
Yes, both me and Hidaka sat in front of the media and both expressed that we would like to wrestle each other in the near future. Date, Time and Place has yet to be announced. Hidaka wants my NWA World Jr. Heavyweight Title and I want his ZERO1 International Jr. Title.

Favorite match to have wrestled in Japan at this current time?Craig Classic: My match with Sawa by far. It was a good test for me.

Any words for someone looking to following in your shoes and get to wrestle in Japan someday?Craig Classic: Go to a company that respects gaijins and where you will be treated right and you can learn.

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I would like to thank Craig for taking time away from his schedule to answer some questions and I hope that he keeps doing what he loves to do and that is pro wrestling. I hope that after you read this interview to go check out some of his matches and if you are lucky enough to get the ZERO1 10th Anniversary Show, I highly recommend that because it was a descent match.Arigatou. Ganbatte! Craig Classic